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emERge™ Program

Become a skilled emergency vet.

Immersive training. 1:1 mentorship. Real-world experience.

What is emERge?
The emERge program will put you on the fast track to becoming a highly experienced, confident and capable emergency veterinarian, ready to perform life-saving medicine for pets in need.

The program gives you everything you need for a successful career in emergency medicine, including the critical, hands-on experiences, immersive training and personal mentorship needed to thrive.

Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to make lasting friendships with others like you and create unforgettable memories during your journey.
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Get ER-ready in one year of accelerated learning.
The emERge program is divided into three parts:
  • 16 weeks of accelerated boot camp and initial training
  • 20 weeks of hands-on, immersive training guided by an experienced clinician mentor
  • 16 weeks of experiential training, with continued mentoring

Immerse yourself at boot camp in Tampa, Florida.
Your journey begins at a four-week, immersive training boot camp hosted in Tampa. Roll up your sleeves because during the week, you’ll be in a fast-paced and gratifying environment discussing cases and performing hands-on procedures, giving you the practical skills needed to flourish.

Beyond the classroom: Explore, make memories and have fun.

On weekends, you’re free to go on adventures in Tampa Bay and beyond. Explore eclectic and historic Ybor City, spend a day taking in Riverwalk in Tampa or at one of the many micro-breweries in St. Pete, or just relax and soak up some sun at one of our famous white sand beaches like Clearwater Beach. From Busch Gardens and Zoo Tampa to Tampa Bay Lightning games and shows at the Straz Performing Arts Center, there are endless entertainment options in your backyard.

Experience real ER cases up close.
After boot camp, you’ll continue learning and training with a mentor at your home hospital. You’ll benefit from the genuine mentorship and guidance of experienced emergency clinicians. Mentors are not bosses – they’re fellow clinicians who are passionate about helping you grow and succeed in your role.

Hands-on lab topics include point-of-care ultrasound, ER techniques, ophthalmologic surgeries, wound management and more!

Grow and thrive
​​​​​​​at your home hospital.

After completing your year of training and graduating from the emERge program, you’ll continue to practice at your home hospital for one year as a full-time, fully-fledged emergency veterinarian.

Continuing to practice at your home hospital allows you to:

  • Hone the skills you learned in the program
  • Continue building lasting relationships
  • Learn as much as possible
  • Gain valuable experience to prepare you for a long-term career in veterinary ER medicine

Salary & benefits.
Job security.
From day one, you’ll have a full-time role at one of our 100+ BluePearl hospitals around the country for at least two years while you learn and grow.

In-depth and hands-on training.
Through immersive labs, weekly continuing education and more, you’ll obtain the critical skills and competencies needed to be a confident emergency clinician in an environment that’s designed and paced for your success.

A full range of benefits.
Access to the BluePearl Library with thousands of medical journals, in-house training development and CEs to grow your knowledge,
401k, medical, dental, vision and much more.

Real-world salary.
Competitive salary and increases are built into the program,
starting from day one.

A nurturing support system.
Colleagues, instructors and 1:1 mentors. No two doctors are the same, and BluePearl gives you the support and diversity of training to be your best self and doctor.

Exposure to specialties.
Most of our hospitals offer at least one specialty, and many of them offer several. You'll have the opportunity to work side-by-side
​​​​​​​with board-certified clinicians in a variety of specialties.
"I was interested in emergency, but also nervous that I wasn't going to know enough, even though I went to school and I learned the book part of it. But the actual application is sometimes challenging, so I liked that the emERge program offers a lot of good mentorship from veterinarians who've been doing it for a while." Thomas McManus, DVM emERge Graduate and Emergency Clinician at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Town Center (Virginia Beach), VA
"I would say this to anybody who is interested in emergency medicine: emERge is a great place to start, a great way to progress and a great way to build a network of support, both with your fellow emERge program participants, but also the instructors, the hospital mentors and more." Jonathan Durmin, DVM emERge Graduate and Emergency Clinician at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Skokie, IL
"I'm most excited about using the skills that we've learned. I feel really confident now that we've been able to do chest tubes, abdominal taps and things like that multiple times. Being able to use those skills and feel really confident doing them and also being able to lead my technicians through things like that makes me more prepared in emergency situations." Adeline Wadel, DVM emERge Graduate and Emergency Clinician at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Stone Oak, TX
A young BluePearl vet holds a small dog to examine its face.

Who do you want to be?

Are you ready to embark on a life-changing journey to become a life-saving emergency vet? emERge will expand your education and give you the practical, hands-on experience you need to succeed as an ER veterinarian.

In this video, you’ll get a glimpse into life at BluePearl, where every Associate has a chance to make a difference.

Choose your home hospital.


Work with incredible and inspirational professionals across the United States.
​​​​​​​We’re here for this next stage in your career.
The graphic shows the contiguous United States with the areas highlighted where a BluePearl hospital operates.

Find the path that’s right for you.

Not sure whether an internship or mentorship program like emERge is right for you?
​​​​​​​We’ve got you.

emERge
-You’re a vet school grad looking for an accelerated and immersive ER training program with built-in 1-on-1 mentorship.
-You’re a veterinarian looking for a career change where you can stretch your skills and knowledge.

Internship
-You’re planning on doing a residency and specializing in the future.
-You’re not sure if you want to specialize or focus on emergency.

Think emERge might be right for you?
​​​​​​​Let's talk!
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About the program.
emERge was developed by specialists at BluePearl when they recognized the gap in training for those wanting to practice high-quality emergency medicine. As a national provider of specialty and emergency medicine, we saw the impact on the industry and decided to take action. After all, everyone has to start somewhere!

Meet our program managers.
Dr. Adam Lancaster is a 2008 graduate of Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Following vet school, he completed a rotating internship at BluePearl in Tampa and then a critical care residency at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. For the last 10 years, he has been with BluePearl, initially as a critical care specialist and then for five years as a member of the clinician talent acquisition team. He enjoys teaching and mentoring and has been an emERge instructor since its inception in 2018. He is excited to be a part of the clinical programs team and getting back to his roots as a critical care clinician providing training, mentoring and consultations for the organization.
Dr. Lisa Powell attended veterinary school at Texas A&M University, followed by a rotating internship at the Animal Medical Center in New York City and an emergency & critical care residency at Tufts University before becoming board certified. She was on faculty at the University of Minnesota for 15 years as a clinical instructor of students, interns and residents. A consummate educator and prolific writer for over the past 20 years, she has held many editorial positions, authored several manuscripts and book chapters, and lectures both nationally and internationally. Dr. Powell is excited about the opportunity to teach and mentor doctors in the emERge program.